River Valley Business Expo breaks attendance recordThe 2016 River Valley Business Expo held last Wednesday, at Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, was attended by over 3600 people -- breaking all previous attendance records. This year's Expo featured interactive games, shopping, food samples, an Escape Room, free health screenings, a fashion show and an on-stage cooking demonstration by the ATU Hospitality Administration Department. The fashion show featured four retaile...

Russellville Chamber CEO and president resignsAccording to an email sent to The Courier by the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Pipkin has officially resigned from his position as Chamber President and CEO and his last day will be Aug. 15, 2016. According to the statement, Pipkin has been instrumental in all of the accomplishments made by the Chamber including new business development, improved transportation, positive government relations and effective business advocacy effort...

Local business celebrates new ownershipTHE COURIER / Submitted Razorback Tanning and More celebrated their new ownership with a ribbon cutting. They are located at 2621 West Main Street, Suite 9 and can be reached at 479-967-8787 for more information about their services and products.

Businesses honor '16 Tax Free WeekendThis weekend is the annual tax free weekend for the state of Arkansas. Clothing, clothing accessories and school supplies are just a few of the products exempt from state tax this weekend. However, the holiday isn't reserved for back-to-school kids alone. "People need to realize it's not just kids' clothing; it's all accessories and clothing," said Gail Anthes, store manager for Leflers at Russellville City Mall. "Makeup is also included, up t...

2016 River Valley Business ExpoRussellville's annual Business Expo is lights, giveaways, music and more. However, it's also an opportunity for businesses to get to connect with their community. That's exactly what businesses like Coulter Physical Therapy and Kona Ice were able to do Wednesday. Seth Coulter, owner of Coulter Physical Therapy, said he looks forward to the Business Expo to reconnect with old patients and simultaneously build more of a relationship with the Rus...

Facebook pushes more unchosen appsSAN FRANCISCO -- Facebook is once again getting pushy about how people message one another. Two years ago, the social-media giant forced its users to adopt its Messenger app for direct communication, a change it enforced by deactivating messages in the main Facebook app and steering users to the app. There was an uproar ; some users thought Messenger violated their privacy, while others just resented having to add yet another app. Still, the p...

Study: Insurers' spending rising on costly medsThe latest study of medicine prices finds U.S. insurers' spending on expensive prescription drugs nearly quadrupled from 2003 through 2014, when the number of such prescriptions filled tripled. Spending on expensive "specialty" drugs by commercial insurance plans jumped from 11 percent of spending on all prescriptions filled in 2003 to 43 percent in 2014, according to the study, published recently by the journal Health Affairs. Meanwhile, the ...

Paragould added to Arkansas Tech Business IndexParagould has become the 20th municipality tracked by the Arkansas Tech Business Index, a project created by the Arkansas Tech University College of Business and sponsored by Arvest Bank. Paragould debuts as part of the April 2016 ATBI with an index rating of 94.45, placing it 17th on the list of 20 Arkansas cities that are part of the index. Only five cities increased their ATBI rating from March 2016 to April 2016, and only five municipaliti...

Jones earns exceptional achievement in client relationships recognitionBrent A. Jones of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Russellville recently won the firm's Frank Finnegan Award for his exceptional achievement in building client relationships. "It's truly an honor to receive recognition for building relationships with those clients we serve," said Jones. "And it's quite inspirational to receive an award named after a firm legend such as Frank Finnegan who was dedicated to individual investors and und...

Wendy's says more than 1,000 restaurants affected by hack NEW YORK (AP) — Wendy's said hackers were able to steal customers' credit and debit card information at 1,025 of its U.S. restaurants, far more than it originally thought. The hamburger chain said Thursday hackers were able to obtain card numbers, names, expiration dates and codes on the card, beginning in late fall. Some customers' cards were used to make fraudulent purchases at other stores. Wendy's Co. urged customers to check their account...

ConAgra Foods Recalls Frozen Chicken and Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter ContaminationWASHINGTON – ConAgra Foods is recalling approximately 3,806 pounds of frozen chicken and beef entrée products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Wednesday. The metal fragments range in size between 2 and 9 millimeters (mm) in diameter, and are curled, malleable and shiny. The metal fragments may be embedded in the sauce...

TripAdvisor honors local hotelFor the Courier Hampton Inn Russellville has received a 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on the online TripAdvisor site over the past year. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor...

Ribbon cuttingTHE COURIER / Submitted Ribbon cutting Super 8-Russellville celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ribbon cutting. Super 8 is located at 2404 North Arkansas Avenue and can be reached at 479-968-8898.

History columnist Ken Bridges announces book publicationDr. Ken Bridges, author of the popular History Minute column appearing in 42 Arkansas newspapers, has announced the publication of his latest book, In An Arkansas Minute, a collection of his Arkansas History columns. In An Arkansas Minute includes numerous stories about the state's past, including Hernando de Soto's ill-fated expedition into Arkansas in the sixteenth century and the numerous stories of Civil War battles and leaders in the stat...

Deltic Timber's Ola Mill receives safety awardThe Deltic Timber Corporation's sawmill in Ola is the recipient of the 2015 Sawmill Safety Award in Division II, presented by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA). The Ola facility maintained a perfect safety record during all of 2015, with no lost-time occupational injuries or illnesses. SFPA lumber manufacturer members are considered for the award based on information submitted regarding occupational injuries and illnesses. Safety...

Survival Flight Inc. to land in RussellvilleSurvival Flight Inc., an emergency medical helicopter transportation company based in Mesa, Arizona, is going to call Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center home later this month. The air ambulance service will provide a crew 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the hospital, as well as one Bell 407 helicopter. The company is dedicated to air medical transportation that is focused on the quality of care to patients and their safety with aviation...

Ribbon cuttingTHE COURIER / Submitted Diamond Bank of Arkansas opened its Russellville branch with a ribbon cutting. For more information about its services, visit 2209 East Parkway Drive or call 479-967-0090.

Russellville Main Street hosts think tank — discovers much to do downtownSeveral residents of the community shared their thoughts and ideas on how to improve the downtown district at a think tank lunch hosted by Main Street Russellville on June 22 at the train depot. Main Street Russellville executive director Betsy McGuire discussed the overall purpose and vision of Main Street Russellville and noted four businesses will open in the downtown district near the first of July into August. She discussed the Depot Park...